Welsh Liberal Democrats

Williams welcomes Ofcom’s decision to cut cost of rural broadband

Rural broadband customers were given welcome news today when Ofcom announced that BT must cut the amount it charges other broadband companies to use their equipment in rural telephone exchanges. From Mid August until March 2014 they must cut their charges by 12% below inflation per year. This means that in telephone exchanges where the only broadband equipment installed belongs to BT other Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will be able to offer their service at a lower cost.

Roger Williams MP said "I have been campaigning to bring affordable broadband to Wales ever since I was first elected in Brecon & Radnorshire as an MP. Broadband is no longer a luxury but, for many people, is an essential service and today's news from Ofcom is most welcome. It means that other ISPs who pay to use BT equipment to provide their broadband service are charged less by BT and they can pass on these savings to their customers. It also means that other ISPs would be able to allocate more bandwidth per customer which could deliver faster broadband services. I therefore look forward to seeing a reduction in broadband prices and improved service in rural areas in the very near future which will benefit both home users and rural businesses."